Valve tester



Feb. 26, 1929.

W. N. JLLSTICE VALVE TESTER Filed Aug. 29, 1927 g-rweritoc m'llmm JV. Jets/(Ice 4% Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM N. JUSTICE, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, V ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN HAMMER-ED PISTON RING COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION or MARYLAND.

VALVE TESTER.

Application filed August 29, 1927. Serial No. 216,253.

This invention pertains to valve testers and is of that type wherein a body of air under compression is held over the valve and about its seat to determine by the presence or absence of leakage of air between such ele; ments whether the 'alve leaky or tight.

I am aware that heretofore various structures have been devised to accomplish the same end, hence lay no broad claim thereto.

The main object of the invention is to provide a simple effective structure and one that may be produced ata smallcost and thus be placed in the hands of all users of automobiles as well as in the hands of the mechanic.

A further object is to provide what may be termed a self contained structure, that is to say one which does not of necessity employ extraneous parts such as pumps, gages, positioning ciamps, and the like.

The structure, as well as its method of use, is illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a sectional elevationof the tester shown in position over a valve being tested for leakage,

Figure 2 a perspective view of the air pressure producing chamber or cup,

Figure 3 a sectional elevation of the con straining ring or body for the cup which also serves as a means for insuring sealing contact between the cup and the underlying portion of the engine structure in which the valve seat is formed,

Figure 4 an enlarged detail sectional view of the joint between the cup and ring, and

Figure 5 a similar view showing a slight modification.

l'tct'erring first to the construction shown in Figures 1 to 1 denotes a metallic ring or annulus having outwardly extending flanges 2 and 3 formed res ectively at the upper and lower marginal portions of said ring. The outer faces of the flanges are rounded and the lower flange 3 may be fully rounded as shown in said figures or substantially semicylindrical in cross section as shown in Figure 5 wherein the lower flange is denoted by 3.

Mounted within the annular member 1 is a substantially hemispherical member denoted generally by 4. It will preferably be formed of high grade rubber stock which is at once flexible and resilient and the lower body por tion thereof is of such external diameter as to substantially fill the lower portion of the annulus 1.

The lower portion of the member 4 is outwardly curved and is'provided on its extreme lower face with an annular rib or bearing surface 5, the edge out-ward of the rib being turned upwardly and embracing the lower flange 3.

The ring or annulus 1 and the member 4 are thus interlocked against accidcntal separation and the member 4 is given suflicient body at its base that when pressure is applied to the upper flange 2 by the operator the rib 5 will be brought into close and sealing contact with the underlying body 6 of the engine, or that' portion which extends outwardly from the valve seat upon which the valve 7 finds its bearing.

Preferably the upper portion of the element 4 will be provided with a knob or projection 8 countersunk in its upper surface as at 9 in order that the operator or user of the tester may place his thumb or finger thereon and force the same downwardly within the ring-shaped member. 7

It is conceivable, of course, that various means for securing the members 1 and 4 together may be employed, if in fact it be neces sary to have the same secured. Thus suitable cement might be utilized for securing the edge of the member 4 to the flange3.

It is thought that the operation of the structure will be evident from the foregoing but it may be said that in use the operator will place the tester over the valve, as shown in Figure 1, then by applying pressure to the upper portion or flange 2 of the ring 1 will force the rib 5 into close intimate sealing contactwith that portion of the engine adjacent the valve.

As will be seen upon reference to F igure 1, the valve then lies below the tester and isenclosed thereby whereupon, while still maintaining pressure upon the upper end of the annular member, the user will depress the knob 8 and cause the air contained within the hemispherical member 4 to be compressed. In other words, the flexible part 4 will be brought to the partly collapsed condition shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. r

' lower marginal portion of the element un- If the valve is tight, depression of the member 4; will be resisted whereas if there is the slightest leakage between the valve and its seat the member 4 may be pushed down- 7 wardly until it bottoms upon the valve.

What is claimed is:

1. In a Valve tester the combination of a rigid cylindrical shaped member; and a re silient element substantially hemispherical in outline mounted within said member, the

derlying the lower edge of said member whereby said resilient element may be forced into sealing contact with a surface by pressure applied to the cylindrical member and air pressure built up within the element upon depression of the latter.

7 2. In a valvetester the combination of a rigid cylindrical shaped member; and a selfsustaming hemispherical rubber member mounted Within said annulus, the edge of said member underlying the adjacent edge of the annulus.

4. In a valve tester the combination of a rigid cylindrical shaped member, and a selfsustaining hemispherical rubber member mounted within said annulus, the body of said member fitting against the inner wall of the annulus in part at'le'ast, with the edge of said member underlying the adjacent edge of the annulus and being interlocked therewith.

5 In a valve tester the combination of a metallic ring having outwardly projecting flanges formed about'its upper and lower edges; and a substantially hemispherical member formed of rubber mounted within the ring, the lower body portion whereof, at least, is of such diameter as to contact the ad j acent inner wall of the ring, the lower edge of said rubber member passing beneath and likewise embracing the lower flange of the ring. v

6. A valve tester asset forth in claim 5 wherein the lower edge of the rubber member is formed with an annular rib to provide a sealing face. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM N. JUSTICE.

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